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A Brief History of the Betty Ford Center
The history of the Betty Ford Center is part of the life story of our founder, former First
Lady Betty Ford. After completing her own treatment for chemical dependency at the
U.S. Naval Hospital in Long Beach, Mrs. Ford talked to her friends about the need for a
treatment center that emphasized the special needs of women. Her good friend,
Ambassador Leonard Firestone, encouraged Mrs. Ford to pursue her dream and in
1982, they co-founded the non-profit Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California.
From its earliest days, the Betty Ford Center has treated women and men suffering
from chemical dependency. The Center has always saved 50% of its space for
women and 50% for men. Treatment is gender-specific; women and men reside in
separate halls. Today the Betty Ford Center offers programs for the entire family
system affected by addiction.
Betty Ford Alpine
Gardens
Gerald R. Ford
Library and
Museum
All family members are deeply affected when one family member is chemically
dependent. Family members are offered support and education through our five-day
Family Program. The Children's Program is for children ages 7 to 12 who are not
themselves addicted, but are living with chemically dependent family members. Visit
our Kids' Corner to find out more.
Eisenhower
Medical Center
Main Campus
Quad
Daniels Building
Entrance
Susan Ford Bales, Chairman and
Betty Ford, Founder. Susan was
responsible for organizing the
intervention which led to Mrs. Ford
going to treatment.
For more about Betty Ford and her life history, visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library and Museum on-line at: www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov.
Click on image to enlarge
April 22 - April 25
California Children's
Program
May 13 - May 16
California Children's
Program
May 14
Alumni Al-Anon Meeting
May 14
Alumni Panel and AA Meeting
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which any link applies. Links to any other sites shall not constitute sponsorship, approval or endorsement of such sites or any content therein.
© 2008 Betty Ford Center
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